LATEX ALLERGY

Course overview

LATEX COMES FROM A SAP FOUND IN RUBBER TREES, HEVEA BRASILIENSIS, WHICH IS USED TO MAKE MANY PRODUCTS USED TODAY. IT IS ALLERGENIC AND CAUSES SYMPTOMS RANGING FROM A RASH TO ANAPHYLAXIS. ALL MEMBERS OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN PREVENTING THE EXACERBATION OR TRIGGERING OF A LATEX ALLERGY IN PATIENTS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF LATEX ALLERGIES. PREVENTION IS PARAMOUNT IN CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION, AND EVERY PERSON INVOLVED WITH THE HEALTH CARE OF THE PATIENT HAS A ROLE IN PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO LATEX.